Ask A Professional: What is the difference between a pedorthist and a Podiatrist?
What is the Difference Between a Pedorthist and a Podiatrist?
By: Deny Dallaire, B.Sc., C.Ped (C)
Certified Pedorthist (Canada) with Thera-Ped Moncton
In Canada, CERTIFIED PEDORTHISTS, or C.Ped.(C)’s are allied health professionals trained in foot and lower limb assessment. Our job is to design, manufacture, modify and fit footwear and orthoses (orthotics) to help treat painful and/or debilitating conditions of the feet and lower legs. (Reference: Website of the College of Pedorthics of Canada, listed below) We fill prescriptions from physicians and other health professionals for specialty footwear and foot orthoses. Other examples of allied health professionals are: Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Orthotists/Prosthetists and Occupational Therapists.
Certified Pedorthists receive their certification from the College of Pedorthics of Canada. They are also members of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. Both of these organizations ensure that their members uphold the highest standards in pedorthic care. To become a Certified Pedorthist (Canada), the entire process takes between 3 and 5 years.
A Pedorthist’s scope of practice in completely non-invasive. We are trained to view the foot, the orthosis (orthotic) and the shoe as a unit in order to achieve optimal foot health.
PODIATRISTS, on the other hand, are Doctors of Podiatric Medicine. They are highly trained medical specialists that perform examination, diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases affecting the foot, ankle and the lower leg by medical, surgical and biomechanical methods of treatment. (Reference: Website of the Canadian Podiatry Medical Association, listed below)
Therefore, a Podiatrist’s scope of practice is much broader than a Pedorthist’s. Podiatrists, besides offering medical and surgical treatements for the feet, can also diagnose conditions and prescribe treatment. Pedorthists do not diagnose but more precisely assess and offer therapy to the foot and ankle while working from a provided diagnosis and prescription.
As a Certified Pedorthist, I have a good working relationship with local Podiatrists. In fact, I find that both professions are a good compliment to one another. For more information on either field, please visit the following websites: College of Pedorthics of Canada: www.cpedcs.ca // Pedorthic Association of Canada: www.pedorthic.ca // Canadian Podiatry Medical Association: www.podiatrycanada.org.
By: Deny Dallaire, B.Sc., C.Ped (C)
Certified Pedorthist (Canada) with Thera-Ped Moncton
In Canada, CERTIFIED PEDORTHISTS, or C.Ped.(C)’s are allied health professionals trained in foot and lower limb assessment. Our job is to design, manufacture, modify and fit footwear and orthoses (orthotics) to help treat painful and/or debilitating conditions of the feet and lower legs. (Reference: Website of the College of Pedorthics of Canada, listed below) We fill prescriptions from physicians and other health professionals for specialty footwear and foot orthoses. Other examples of allied health professionals are: Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Orthotists/Prosthetists and Occupational Therapists.
Certified Pedorthists receive their certification from the College of Pedorthics of Canada. They are also members of the Pedorthic Association of Canada. Both of these organizations ensure that their members uphold the highest standards in pedorthic care. To become a Certified Pedorthist (Canada), the entire process takes between 3 and 5 years.
A Pedorthist’s scope of practice in completely non-invasive. We are trained to view the foot, the orthosis (orthotic) and the shoe as a unit in order to achieve optimal foot health.
PODIATRISTS, on the other hand, are Doctors of Podiatric Medicine. They are highly trained medical specialists that perform examination, diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases affecting the foot, ankle and the lower leg by medical, surgical and biomechanical methods of treatment. (Reference: Website of the Canadian Podiatry Medical Association, listed below)
Therefore, a Podiatrist’s scope of practice is much broader than a Pedorthist’s. Podiatrists, besides offering medical and surgical treatements for the feet, can also diagnose conditions and prescribe treatment. Pedorthists do not diagnose but more precisely assess and offer therapy to the foot and ankle while working from a provided diagnosis and prescription.
As a Certified Pedorthist, I have a good working relationship with local Podiatrists. In fact, I find that both professions are a good compliment to one another. For more information on either field, please visit the following websites: College of Pedorthics of Canada: www.cpedcs.ca // Pedorthic Association of Canada: www.pedorthic.ca // Canadian Podiatry Medical Association: www.podiatrycanada.org.
